The Department of Biological Sciences at Florida State University invites applications for one or more PhD level graduate student to study kelp forest ecology in the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area and Haida Heritage Site in Haida Gwaii, BritishColumbia with Dr. Dan Okamoto ([https://dkokamoto.wordpress.com).=20]https://dkokamoto.wordpress.com).

Required qualifications: Applicants should have experience in SCUBA based research(AAUS, CAUS or equivalent) a background in, or aptitude for, statistics and mathematical modeling, and experience in marine ecology or fisheries science.  A master=92s degree or equivalent experience is preferred.

About the opportunity:

Near extirpation of sea otters nearly two centuries ago allowed sea urchins to proliferate in northern British Columbia, leading to dramatic kelp forest declines in the region. These kelp forests provide shelter and food for endangered northern abalone, rockfish and other species.  We are studying the effects of this trophic cascade on dynamics of northern abalone, sea urchins and associated kelp forest species.  This work includes large-scale, experimental removals of sea urchins to evaluate how the kelp forest ecosystem responds and quantify shifts in survival, growth and diet of abalone and other species following competitive release.  The project integrates SCUBA-based kelp forest monitoring, mark- recapture studies, stable isotope analysis, recruitment monitoring and mathematicalmodeling of population and community dynamics.

The student(s) will be expected to lead their own studies in addition to participating in the larger project.  Activities include field and lab work as well as statistical and mathematical modeling of dynamics of sea urchins, kelp, abalone and other species.

For prospective students:

Full applications are due to the graduate program by 1, 2017 at www.bio.fsu.edu/grad/admissions/.

Before applying to FSU interested applicants should contact Dan Okamoto atdokamoto@bio.fsu.edu well in advance of this deadline. Please include a CV, unofficial transcripts, description of your professional and research interests, relevant experience, why this opportunity is of interest, and any questions about the position.

Biological Sciences at FSU is a highly regarded program with preeminent scholars in ecology, evolution, marine biology, biostatistics, mathematical biology and genetics.

FSU is an equal opportunity employer and underrepresented and minority groups are encouraged to apply.

The Restoration Ecology & Herpetology Program at Archbold Biological Station is seeking a research assistant to support ecological research and monitoring, habitat restoration, and land management on its >8,800 acres of conservation land on the southern Lake Wales Ridge, Florida. We are seeking a broadly trained ecologist with excellent field, organizational, and communication skills to contribute to our research and restoration efforts in three main areas:  community ecology of seasonal wetlands, restoration of agriculturally modified wetlands (in USDA Wetlands Reserve Program easements), and behavior and demography of Gopher Tortoises.

This is a full-time, term position for 16 months starting between January 8-15, 2018, with the possibility of extension dependent on funding. The Restoration Ecology/Herpetology RA will play a central role in coordinating fieldwork and managing data for a variety of ongoing projects. The RA will also devote about 10% of his/her time to land management activities, including exotics control and assisting with prescribed fires on both the Station (http://www.archbold-station.org/html/land/lmovr.html) and adjacent Archbold Reserve (http://www.archbold-reserve.org/).

Specific field-related duties will include:  sampling amphibians, fish, and aquatic invertebrates; monitoring wetland and groundwater depths and water chemistry; collecting data on severity of feral hog rooting; measuring vegetation responses to hydrological restoration within WRP easements; mapping and treating exotic plants as part of wetland and sandhill restoration initiatives; occasionally assisting with prescribed fires; radiotracking Gopher Tortoises; and mapping and surveying tortoise burrows.

Office/lab duties will include:  entering and managing data; occasionally supervising volunteers and research interns; and assisting with statistical analyses and report writing.=20

Qualifications:

– B.S. in biology, environmental science, or a related field

– At least 1 year of relevant work experience

– Experience with wetland/aquatic ecosystem monitoring techniques

– Experience capturing, handling, and identifying amphibians and reptiles – Familiarity with herpetofauna and plants of Coastal Plain ecosystems of the southeastern U.S.

– Highly organized and able to work independently

– Proactive approach to project management and communication

– Meticulous attention to data quality

– Ability to safely operate 4WD vehicles in off-road conditions

– Ability to perform physically strenuous activities under hot, humid subtropical conditions

– Applicants must have U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S.

Preference will be given to candidates with at least 2 years of relevant experience; demonstrated ability to manage multiple field projects; and familiarity with ArcMap and Microsoft Access.=20

Salary will be dependent on experience, in the range of $24,000 – $26,500 per year plus benefits.

To apply, email the following (preferably as one attachment in PDF format)

to Dr. Betsie Rothermel at [mailto:brothermel@archbold-station.org:=20]brothermel@archbold-station.org:=20

1) Cover letter describing your qualifications and availability with respect to the desired start date

2) Current resume or CV, including GPA and a list of relevant coursework

3) Contact information for three references

Please include =91RA position=92 in the subject line of your email. Review of applications will begin November 5th and continue until the position is filled.

I am looking to recruit a graduate student for Fall 2018 to study the
evolution and dynamics of microbial communities at the University of
North Carolina Greensboro.

In the Raymann lab we use the honeybee as a model system to study the
evolution and dynamics of host-associated microbial communities. Research
in my lab currently focuses on 1) understanding how chemical and
environmental perturbations impact the population dynamics of the
honeybee gut microbial communities and how these perturbations impact
honeybee health and 2) investigating how microbial community imbalance
and within-host evolution influences pathogen susceptibility, what
role resident microbes play in protecting their host, and how and when
opportunistic pathogens become virulent.

Students with experience in microbiology, metagenomics, evolution,
and/or bioinformatics are particularly encouraged to apply.

For more information about the lab please visit:
https://biology.uncg.edu/people/kasie-raymann/ and
https://kraymann86.wixsite.com/raymannlab

Prospective students are encouraged to email Kasie Raymann at
ktrayman@uncg.edu by December 31st (later inquiries might also be
considered). Include in your email a statement including 1) the research
questions that you would like to pursue, 2) how these fit in with current
lab research, 3) a brief overview of your previous academic and research
experiences, 4) CV or resume, and 5) GRE scores (if you have them).

***Note: In order to apply for the program you must have taken the GRE,
and applicants with a first language other than English must submit
scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Students accepted into the Environmental Health Science (EHS) PhD program
will be provided a tuition waiver and a competitive stipend.

The deadline for application to the Environmental Health Science (EHS)
PhD program is in February 2018. For information about the program please
visit https://biology.uncg.edu/graduate/phd-environmental-health-science/

To find out more information about Greensboro, North Carolina you can
visit: https://realestate.usnews.com/places/north-carolina/greensboro

Kasie Raymann

Assistant Professor

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro

Web sites: https://biology.uncg.edu/people/kasie-raymann/ and
https://kraymann86.wixsite.com/raymannlab

Kasie Raymann Ph.D.
Postdoctoral research fellow
Laboratory of Nancy Moran
Department of Integrative Biology
University of Texas at Austin

Kasie Raymann <kraymann86@gmail.com>

Fellowships/assistantships are available for self-motivated PhD students to conduct innovative and high-impact research at the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) at Michigan State University (http://csis.msu.edu).

Research topics may include telecoupling (socioeconomic- environmental interactions over distances, through means such as flows of ecosystem services, trade of goods and products, globalization, migration, species invasion, disease spread, and tourism, telecoupling<http://www.csis.msu.edu/telecoupling>.org),  sustainability science, coupled human and natural systems, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, human well-being, forest and landscape ecology, global change, systems integration (e.g., integration of ecology with social sciences and policy; food-energy-water nexus), wildlife ecology and conservation (e.g., giant pandas in China and polar bears in Alaska), land change science, and systems modeling and simulation (e.g., agent-based modeling). Studies on these topics by faculty and students at CSIS have been published in journals such as Science, Nature, and PNAS. With flexible start dates (e.g., summer or fall of 2018), successful candidates can build on previous studies and explore new frontiers.

Application materials include: (1) letter of application, (2) statement of professional goals, (3) CV or resume, (4) transcripts, (5) GRE scores, (6) TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers only), (7) list of 3-4 references (names and contact information), and (8) up to three representative publications if any. Unofficial copies of GRE, TOEFL and transcripts are OK initially.  Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible, or until the positions are filled.  Applications and questions about these opportunities should be emailed to:

Professor Jianguo (Jack) Liu
Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability
Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48823-5243, USA
liuji@msu.edu<mailto:liuji@msu.edu> (email)
http://csis.msu.edu/people/jianguo-liu

The Bradburd Lab at Michigan State University is seeking motivated PhD
students interested in studying statistical population genetics.

The lab is focused on evolutionary biology and population genetics, and
especially on statistical methods for inferring and visualizing complex
patterns of genetic information over space and time.  There are currently
two main lines of inquiry in the lab:

1) Spatial population genetics: using spatial population genetic data to
study the processes that have generated patterns of genetic variation, with
a particular focus on isolation, migration, and local adaptation.

2) Temporal population genetics: studying how population structure
changes across space and through time, especially geared toward
understanding how populations adapt to climate change

I am interested in students who would like to collaborate on these projects
or develop independent research programs in the general fields of
population and evolutionary genetics/genomics.  I am open to advising
students who develop their own empirical systems, but I expect all students
to be excited about statistical population genetics methods.

Positions:  Students will be admitted through the Integrative Biology
Department (https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/graduate-program) and
the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Group (
https://eebb.natsci.msu.edu) at MSU.

Qualifications: Applicants should hold a bachelor???s degree in biology,
statistics, computer science, or a related field. Preference will be given
to applicants with previous relevant research experience. A passion for
evolutionary biology, data analysis, and quantitative methods is a key
asset.  The Bradburd Lab is dedicated to being a safe space for diversity
in STEM.

Funding: Students in the lab will receive a generous stipend, research and
travel funds, and tuition waivers. Financial support comes through research
and teaching assistantships, as well as university fellowships for
competitive applicants.  Students are strongly encouraged to seek external
fellowships through the NSF, NIH, and other relevant agencies or sources.

Those interested in positions in the lab should visit the lab webpage (
genescape.org) and email me (bradburd@msu.edu) with the following
information:

1) ???Prospective Student??? in the email subject line
2) Brief cover letter describing research interests, reasons for pursuing a
PhD, and career goals
3) CV
4) Unofficial transcripts, including GRE scores if available
5) Samples of scientific writing (published paper, manuscript in
preparation, undergrad/masters thesis, or class assignment)
6) Names and email addresses for 3 references

Applicants are encouraged to contact me well before applications are due to
the graduate school on December 1st.

I look forward to hearing from you!

-Gideon

Gideon Bradburd
Dept. Integrative Biology
Michigan State University
genescape.org

–001a1144320c6413e1055ae4c92a
Content-Type: text/html; charset=”UTF-8″
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=”ltr”><div>The Bradburd Lab at Michigan State University is seeking motivated PhD students interested in studying statistical population genetics.????</div><div><br></div><div>The lab is focused on evolutionary biology and population genetics, and especially on statistical methods for inferring and visualizing complex patterns of genetic information over space and time.?? There are currently two main lines of inquiry in the lab:</div><div><br></div><div>?? ??1) Spatial population genetics: using spatial population genetic data to study the processes that have generated patterns of genetic variation, with a particular focus on isolation, migration, and local adaptation.</div><div><br></div><div>?? ??2) Temporal population genetics: studying how population structure changes across space and through time, especially geared toward understanding how populations adapt to climate change</div><div><br></div><div>I am interested in students who would like to collaborate on th
ese projects or develop independent research programs in the general fields of population and evolutionary genetics/genomics.?? I am open to advising students who develop their own empirical systems, but I expect all students to be excited about statistical population genetics methods.</div><div><br></div><div>Positions:?? Students will be admitted through the Integrative Biology Department (<a href=”https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/graduate-program“>https://integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu/graduate-program</a>) and the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Group (<a href=”https://eebb.natsci.msu.edu“>[https://eebb.natsci.msu.edu%3c/a]https://eebb.natsci.msu.edu</a>) at MSU.</div><div><br></div><div>Qualifications: Applicants should hold a bachelor???s degree in biology, statistics, computer science, or a related field. Preference will be given to applicants with previous relevant research experience. A passion for evolutionary biology, data analysis, and quantitative methods is a key asset.?
? The Bradburd Lab is dedicated to being a safe space for diversity in STEM.</div><div><br></div><div>Funding: Students in the lab will receive a generous stipend, research and travel funds, and tuition waivers. Financial support comes through research and teaching assistantships, as well as university fellowships for competitive applicants.?? Students are strongly encouraged to seek external fellowships through the NSF, NIH, and other relevant agencies or sources.</div><div><br></div><div>Those interested in positions in the lab should visit the lab webpage (<a href=”http://secure-web.cisco.com/1VkOPMIA83CbE4s2GDZJmhiAr122Wsb3gLXJVJr9bnA6mV-cWB9MaSxOcysfgweaYfEt9PEniXk4WOKUC1vkRq9U-E1-PlBcIKnFgzvd7onKtJHpGRI_kpMeZr2cklH45Tpu2FSWUOBxvm8tLK6NOZknFAgzKrGmE06szoB8XBN7bSSStUvvvg_hcfW44ngYxuTv0yVAGjMFqzRXGL38uBP0vxbwAvfdEH0olVq2myB5CtIHktYodBYozMoGEnWi_19u_zgKD8qDr_dznOnjwJk7uVGuBx5LimpFxQ_0eqNlOdQmkQQT_Q-8rg_Dd_nCjh4pf2NM5ERNW72M9baJ7013oRxNZKBBitJDLOyvDi-oc9qtTEhJaYpbwwf_grIxgBEP3o1mS1HjZkgRixuY1B2f7Z5fO7RkIOph5WB3_iN8rzH3VMOn99TJzczX-ked1stTGEt5w_VdzmHFhtDf_OA/http%3A%2F%2Fgenescape.org“>genescape.org</a>) and email me (<a href=”mailto:bradburd@msu.edu“>bradburd@msu.edu</a>) with the following information:</div><div><br></div><div>1)<span style=”white-space:pre”>

</span>???Prospective Student??? in the email subject line</div><div>2)<span style=”white-space:pre”>

</span>Brief cover letter describing research interests, reasons for pursuing a PhD, and career goals</div><div

3)<span style=”white-space:pre”>

</span>CV</div><div>4)<span style=”white-space:pre”>

</span>Unofficial transcripts, including GRE scores if available</div><div>5)<span style=”white-space:pre”>

</span>Samples of scientific writing (published paper, manuscript in preparation, undergrad/masters thesis, or class assignment)</div><div>6)<span style=”white-space:pre”>

</span>Names and email addresses for 3 references</div><div><br></div><div>Applicants are encouraged to contact me well before applications are due to the graduate school on December 1st.</div><div><br></div><div>I look forward to hearing from you!</div><div><br></div><div>-Gideon</div><div><br></div><div><div class=”gmail_signature”><div dir=”ltr”><span style=”font-size:12.8px”>Gideon Bradburd</span><div style=”font-size:12.8px”><span style=”font-size:12.8px”>Dept. Integrative Biology</span><br></div><div style=”font-size:12.8px”>Michigan State University</div><div style=”font-size:12.8px”><a href=”http://secure-web.cisco.com/11Ydm75s8B3YlPqLYzTwpgomt1JeD2YZN8oCCagLmQeDC28vFhHnw4ZTy1Pd7szm3ML1rt2o-AApcsZ2PUxj4mKA1Q5vLTFI7TiAziuGVRa1WxeEWbtx087NzLRZ3gY1aPIJPWFSsH0VHnYEN_gfll5ce0fl2caWgBKj_fPmDwjuTvcGC-oSwUHsQhxlj-mpcbFFPSTfhSxHkYM8hWwSKxbvpZNe4bI8RlD6XUBZB7aTD-hFtuJYFX8JoRm7hTEge6k_u2nK-0Cq7d9z4ku19awghsC_t5cGaqAcdRGtYDKH7yIgy3tAL02KdxGE3flJp7qTRommOCayepFnlayYBlpWz80HWgWvwj5EsPGNZjEqP0vdS3yPRZDIAv9-j6JaX3a-mWlw-sxrJioG0NrTar2CbUtZdfSBe3BU0V0bQ4PG9yzdDG6a2kBbl2lSMdPJ2/http%3A%2F%2Fgenescap

e.org/” target=”_blank”>genescape.org</a></div></div></div></div>
<div dir=”ltr”><br></div></div>

–001a1144320c6413e1055ae4c92a–

I am looking to recruit a graduate student for Fall 2018 to study the
evolutionary interplay of behavior and morphology in the context of
sexual selection.

Research in my lab focuses on sexual selection in insects, examining the
importance of nutritional and social environments both for the expression
of sexually-selected traits and for the process of selection itself. We
primarily work on leaf-footed bugs, Family Coreidae. These insects wrestle
with their hind legs over territories and have an amazing diversity
of hind leg shapes. Ongoing projects in the lab include studies of
trade-offs between weapons and testes; the effect of nutrition and social
environments on weapon structure, testes size, and male fighting behavior;
and the factors influencing mate choice. We are currently reconstructing
a phylogeny of the group to test hypotheses of weapon shape evolution.

The successful applicant for this position can choose to work locally
in Florida or pursue international field work, at a location such
as the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Prospective
students are encouraged to email Christine W. Miller at cwmiller@ufl.edu
by November 8th (later inquiries might also be considered). Include in
your email a statement including 1) the kinds of research questions that
you would like to pursue, 2) how these fit in with current lab research,
3) a brief overview of your previous academic and research experiences,
4) CV or resume, 5) GRE scores (if you have them), and 6) an unofficial
transcript.

Accepted students will be provided a tuition waiver and a competitive
stipend. For more information please visit http://secure-web.cisco.com/1bjFCPDBwK1nR0LaZlzdnYyFtVvaeiAKDEkgm5aWEULY6DlfB8rh_-dyIxUlpalJdaO3ysxz0AkmD8NSJQUrfMNuqsOmJb4W4wgxT06et83C6dZAxI8BBFGB24NYMVJLfkgsLjled-DwiDi9AbPA3hGyxUHgJ5SD_jI06KNr636lMVuDexeMrxAn9um-n66BupeJ51lTIJ5VHXngRIkzE3N-EQhR-DKHfVoPLG9_FmmjU4hqTAIEtOOJyxP2Et_cqtPZiNr7E0GRPA0MR43jBtDMDJ0g6EeN-ByP8sIHalqlqwInzk_MVTNp-A-cQtXAI4z1MMmarrgAe2XHB-u-3SdXEGBAUuj-nC8-zWYKZdWz80geauTqz3vDGUQY6rO4uWQJWlLjnSVQKbo_PmtXpk1lBKb1ShXZN9D8HXKuEXaTBEkhdEtJQo8kHNyS0knkyUk4CkI-70D535Rc4yxtKIA/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millerlab.net.

Information about Gainesville, Florida:

Situated in the rolling countryside of north central Florida, Gainesville
is much more than a stereotypical college town. Home of the University of
Florida, seat of Alachua County’s government and the region’s commercial
hub, it is progressive, environmentally conscious and culturally
diverse. The presence of many students and faculty from abroad among
its 99,000-plus population adds a strong cross-cultural flavor to its
historic small-town Southern roots. Its natural environment, temperate
climate and civic amenities make Gainesville a beautiful, pleasant,
and interesting place in which to learn and to live.

Time and time again, Gainesville has been named one of Florida’s
most liveable cities and ranked among the leaders in the United
States – a reputation created by an exceptional combination of local
features. Agreeable weather and lovely landscapes, attractive educational
and economic opportunities, varied cultural and recreational resources,
and a youthful, energetic ambiance all contribute to the standard of
living enjoyed by area residents.

Christine W. Miller  | University of Florida
Associate Professor of Entomology
Entomology & Nematology Department
phone: (352) 273-3917 web: http://secure-web.cisco.com/1UT0TeHZ7s9sgQqn8if28LscFyBB_PIYOa2Ia3eaTE3Oornoe3Gch1TqC_Sotu2SYPTWQMXzJDJ-f2to8250xlqz4psrxpcwlL-0YpDbwrLiD9-r1sMlq4auc557994–_OLad2Drr65b3WBZz2gXZW5lE3MOIZnqEG214XMrR04f8-ztXz_PT8OjRAHFGM5LoMNxqpVm1vXG8li7YjDTvTzBQB7azzm5V-tFkzGhJ612MIHI3X3VcqkZ0VZ3MsE05S9mEth3GB5SrFlEvSc-jrP2guQzyTarF5hy4O_ktBxphuPUjlggr8uHgi9v8qTndS1H5btuy_y6hyOLdDZx8V4pqkx4VHhMQX0-UQMJAKQTS3IOv5pUwi3RNyZpprx_UfGS6AlT_VkxKvLxlKqGfmNrPh8Xm80MWLl46eVlLOB6F1bws0vKyfbjCiUrv9iv/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.MillerLab.net%20%20facebook%3A%20%40bugweapons

“Miller, Christine W.” <cwmiller@ufl.edu>

Graduate student positions are currently available for the MS and PhD programs in Biology, Plant Biology, Environmental Science, and Mathematics at Washington State University’s Vancouver campus.  Positions are funded with teaching and/or research assistantships that include tuition waivers. Faculty research areas in biology, environmental science and math include

*Animal Behavior

*Aquatic Ecology

*Biological Oceanography

*Butterfly Ecology

*Cell and Developmental Biology

*Community Ecology

*Conservation Biology

*Disease Ecology

*Disturbance Ecology

*Ecosystem Ecology

*Environmental Chemistry

*Environmental Hydrology

*Environmental Physics

*Evolutionary Ecology

*Global Change Biology

*Landscape Ecology

*Marine & Freshwater Plankton Ecology

*Microbial Ecology

*Mathematical Biology

*Neuroscience

*Physical Oceanography

*Plant-insect interactions

*Plant-herbivore interactions

*Plant Ecology

*Restoration Ecology

*Statistical Ecology

*Successional Dynamics

*Watershed Biogeochemistry

We expect to recruit 6-10 new graduate students into our programs next year supported on a combination of teaching assistantships and grant-based research assistantships. In addition, the program awards one incoming PhD student a Research Fellowship for their first academic year based on academic excellence.

Please see our website for more information about our graduate programs:

https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/science-graduate-programs/

Because graduate students work closely with faculty in pursuing their research, you must line up a mentor before applying. Explore our Faculty Research pages to find someone whose research interests fit with your own, then contact that person to discuss applying to graduate school at WSU Vancouver.=20

https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/science-graduate-programs/faculty-research-directory

Faculty members can be most helpful if they know a little about you. At a minimum, please provide a resume or CV, educational transcripts and information about your research background and interests.

WSU Vancouver is just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, and is close to the Cascade Mountains, Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. In addition to its celebrated quality of life, the Pacific Northwest boasts a fruitful climate for scientific collaboration, with opportunities at numerous medical, environmental, research and teaching institutions throughout the region.

Priority applications are due January 10, 2018

Please contact Cheryl Schultz for additional information.

Cheryl Schultz

Associate Professor

Program Leader for Natural Sciences Graduate Programs

Washington State University Vancouver

14202 NE Salmon Creek Ave.

Vancouver, WA 98686

360.546.9525

schultzc@wsu.edu

I anticipate having an opening in my lab for a new MS or PhD student (PhD preferred) starting in the Fall of 2018.

Major areas of research in my lab (http://www.faculty.virginia.edu/khaynes/) are understanding 1) the causes of spatial and temporal variation in forest insect outbreaks, 2) factors leading to geographic variation in rates of invasive spread by forest pests, and 3) effects of light pollution on ecological processes from the population to ecosystem level. Work in my lab often includes a combination of analysis of spatial datasets, field observations and experiments, and/or computer modeling.

Applicants primarily interested in conducting research on spatial population dynamics (for example, see areas 1 and 2 above) are preferred. Applicants interested in learning (or who have prior experience with) remote sensing, GIS, statistics, and/or writing computer code are also preferred.

Funding for the position would most likely come from a research assistantship funded by Blandy Experimental Farm as well as a half-time teaching assistantship from the Department of Environmental Sciences. However, exceptional applicants are considered for departmental fellowships or other fellowships available to those applying for graduate positions at UVA.

During summer semesters, the student would be based at Blandy Experimental Farm, a field station for environmental research and education located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

To inquire about the position, send a statement of your interests and a CV to haynes@virginia.edu.

Kyle Haynes

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences

Associate Director, Blandy Experimental Farm

University of Virginia

The Whitehead Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech

is looking for motivated and independent graduate students to join the lab

in Fall 2018. We study the ecology and evolution of plant interactions

using a combination of field observational studies, experiments, lab work,

and quantitative synthesis. General themes in the lab include:

1) Plant evolutionary responses to multispecies interactions

2) Chemical ecology of seed dispersal and fruit defense

3) Phytochemical diversity and multispecies interactions

4) Crop domestication impacts on plant defense and plant-insect interaction=

s

5) Agricultural applications of chemical ecology

I will work closely with students to develop their own projects that are

related to these themes. Students may work in systems that are the current

focus of research in the lab (e.g. tropical Piper plants and frugivorous

bats; wild and domesticated apples and their insect herbivores, Physalis

plants and their insect herbivores) or develop their own systems that are

most suited to their research questions.

Please see the lab website (www.speciesinteractions.com) for more

information about our current research.

The Whitehead Lab is part of the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior

<https://www.biol.vt.edu/eeb/index.html> group in the Department of

Biological Sciences. Students may also participate in interdepartmental

programs such as the Interfaces of Global Change

<http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc/> (www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc) program

and the Translational Plant Sciences

<https://translationalplantscience.org/> (https://

translationalplantscience.org) program.

*Qualifications*

Successful applicants should have: 1) a bachelor=E2=80=99s degree in a rele=

vant

field (biology, ecology, botany, entomology, etc.); 2) strong written and

oral communication skills; 3) some form of past research experience (could

include undergraduate research, work experience, or MS research for PhD

applicants); and 4) a genuine fascination with the natural world.

International students and students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged

to apply. Other general qualifications are set by the Department of

Biological Sciences and details are available in the Graduate Program

section on the department webpage (https://www.biol.vt.edu).

*Funding*

Students will be supported with a combination of research and teaching

assistantships in the Department of Biological Sciences. All positions will

include a stipend and a tuition waiver. Students are also encouraged to

apply for external fellowships such as the National Science Foundation

Pre-doctoral Fellowship (https://www.nsfgrfp.org) or the USDA Pre-doctoral

Fellowships (https://goo.gl/imnbz6).

*Location*

Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, VA, a town of about 43,000 nestled

between the scenic Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Its proximity to

woodlands, lakes, streams, and other diverse habitats make it an ideal

location for field studies and outdoor recreational activities.

*To apply*

First, please take the time to read through the information available on

our website (www.speciesinteractions.com) and a few of our publications. If

you find you are genuinely interested in the type of research that we do,

send me an email at swhitehead@vt.edu that briefly describes your

background and interests and why you think you are a good fit for the lab

and include a CV. Review of these materials will begin immediately and

priority will be given to students that contact me with this information by

Nov. 1. This will give us time to discuss research interests prior to the

priority deadline for the Department of Biological Sciences on Dec. 15.

Please see the department website (https://www.biol.vt.edu) for more

details on the application process